In the middle of Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, there’s a tiny shop that’s nothing short of magical. For over 35 years, Mohammad Rafi has been at its helm, surrounded by thousands of colored pencils in every shade imaginable. Step inside, and it feels like you’re walking into a treasure chest of colors.
The walls are packed with pencils, arranged so perfectly that they create a stunning gradient of hues—from fiery reds to calming blues, soft pastels to dazzling metallics. But what’s even more incredible than the shop itself is Rafi’s uncanny ability to find any pencil you ask for. No matter how many there are, he knows exactly where each one is.
“Each pencil has a story,” he says with a warm smile. “I’ve been organizing them for decades, so it’s just second nature now.”
Artists from across Tehran and beyond come here, not just to buy supplies but for the experience. Rafi’s shop isn’t just a store—it’s a sanctuary for creativity. He doesn’t just hand you a pencil; he listens to what you need and helps you find the perfect color, sometimes one you didn’t even realize you were looking for. “He has a way of understanding exactly what you need,” says a regular customer. “It’s like he speaks the language of colors.”
Over the years, Rafi has seen trends in art supplies change, but he’s stayed true to his roots. His shop is a reminder of a time when craftsmanship and personal connections mattered. It’s not about flashy marketing or mass production here; it’s about passion and expertise. That’s why so many people keep coming back.
For Rafi, this shop is more than just a livelihood. It’s his life’s work. “Colors have a way of speaking to us,” he explains. “They can make us feel things, tell stories, and express emotions. My job is to help people find the right colors for their stories.”
As the Grand Bazaar changes and modernizes, Rafi’s little shop stands out as a vibrant, unchanging beacon of creativity. It’s a place where colors come to life and where inspiration is always within reach. At the heart of it all is Mohammad Rafi, a man whose love for his craft has brightened countless lives.